It struck him as strange that Bella should have her letters sent to her to a studio. He wanted to question the secretary, hesitated, then asked—
"You know Miss Carew?"
"Very well."
"I reckon she patronizes this academy."
It would not have been surprising if she had given it some large donation.
The stenographer repeated the word, "Patronizes? Miss Carew works here when she is in America; she has a small studio here."
"Works here? Do you mean she paints?"
The woman smiled. "Yes; she has been studying in Florence. I expect her home every day."
Fairfax still lingered, drawing his soft gloves through his hands.
"There's nothing to do, then, but to wait,"—he smiled